Vacuum assembly

ABSTRACT

A vacuum assembly adapted for operative association with an open upper-ended container; the assembly including a housing having an inlet and an outlet, an electrically energized vacuum motor within the housing, means cooperable with the container for supporting the housing adjacent the upper end thereof and adapted to sealingly engage the upper end of the container so as to define a generally air tight chamber therewithin, and first and second handle means on the assembly and the container movable to and from a position generally coincident with one another, whereby to permit simultaneous manual grasping of the first and second handle means to enable concomitant transport of the container and assembly as a composite structure.

Unlted States Patent 1 91 1111 3,858,272

Bard et a1. Jan. 7, 1975 VACUUM ASSEMBLY Primar Examiner-Dona1d A. Griffin 75 1 ntozDo l C.B d;El 11.1; d y 1 [we rs i g l Sig at Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Harness, D1ckey & Plerce [73] Assignee: Beatrice Foods Co., Chicago, 111. [22] Filed: Feb. 21, 1973 [57] ABSTRACT [21] Appl- 334,458 A vacuum assembly adapted for operative association with an open upper-ended container; the assembly in- 52 us. (:1 16/115, 55/357, 220/557 eluding e heueihg having an inlet and an Outlet, an 51 Int. c1. B2Sg 1/04 electrically energized vaeuum meter Within the h [58] Field 01 Search 220/557, 55 T, 55 o, 45; g means ceeperable with the eehtaiher for pp 1 5 5 4 B, 55 357 ing the housing adjacent the upper end thereof and adapted to sealingly engage the upper end of the con- 5 References Cited tainer so as to define a generally air tight chamber UNITED STATES PATENTS therewithin, and first and second handle means on the assembly and the container movable to and from a po- 1 gi g sition generally coincident with one another, whereby 2O25946 12/1935 g zrg "55/357 to permit simultaneous manual grasping of the first 2294197 8/1942 Moore et (11.1.1111: 1: 16/126 x and Second handle means to enable Concomitant 215401919 2/1951 Vallas 55/357 x transport of the Container and assembly as p 3,286,446 11/1966 Happe et a1. 55/357 lte Structum- FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 19 Claims 4 Drawing Figures 291,616 6/1928 Great Britain 16/115 Patented Jan. 7, 1975 3,858,272

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Patented Jan. 7, 1975 3,858,272

2- Sheets-Sheet 2 j 17 f 7/ E-E- /Z nnuunnn umunuuuuli VACUUM ASSEMBLY SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Generally speaking, the present invention relates to vacuum cleaning apparatus of the type used for removing or vacuuming foreign materials, such as dirt, moisture and the like. More particularly, the present invention is directed toward a new and improved vacuum cleaning assembly which is adapted for operative association with a container, such as a pail, bucket or the like, in a manner such that the container functions as the receptacle for the foreign material which is picked up or vacuumed" upon operation of the assembly.

It is accordingly a general object of the present invention to provide a new and improved vacuum cleaning apparatus.

It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide a new and improved vacuum cleaning apparatus that is adapted for operative association with conventional pails, buckets and the like which will function as a receptacle for receiving foreign materials picked up by the apparatus.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved vacuum apparatus of the above character that incorporates a novel handle arrangement which is cooperable with the handle or bail normally provided on buckets or pails in a manner so as to permit simultaneous manual grasping or engagement of the two handles, whereby to permit concomitant transport of the vacuum apparatus and associated container as a composite unit or structure.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved vacuum apparatus of the above character where the handle provided thereon is movable between an upper extended position and a lower retracted position, and wherein the upper end of the vacuum housing is defined in part by a generally horizontal plane, whereby to permit the entire assembly to be inverted and be supported upon the flat upper surface thereof without interference with the handle for purposes of inspection, repair and the like of the operating mechanism located on the underside of the assembly.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved vacuum apparatus of the above character which will find universality of application with a wide variety of different styles of containers, buckets, pails and the like.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved vacuum assembly which in a relatively simple design, is economical to manufacture and will have a long and effective operational life.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is an elevated exploded view of the vacuum assembly of the present invention, as shown in operative association with the conventional container such as a bucket, pail or the like;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of the vacuum assembly of the present invention as shown in its assembled position on the associated container;

FIG. 3 is another view of the structure shown in FIG. 2, as taken in the direction of the arrow 3 thereof, and;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now in detail to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1 thereof, a vacuum assembly 10, in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention, is shown generally in operative association with a container 12 which is adapted to function as a receptacle for articles vacuumed or picked up by the assembly 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the container 12 comprises a generally cylindrically shaped side wall 14 and is closed at the lower end thereof, as will be apparent. The container may, if deired, be mounted for roll ing movement on a suitable container chassis 16 having rollable casters or the like 18 on the underside thereof. It will be appreciated, of course, that the container 12 may be of various other configurations than a right circular cylinder, as shown herein, for example, the container 12 could consist of a frustoconically shaped bucket, pail or the like well known in the art.

The container 12 is provided with a handle or bail, generally designated by the numeral 20, which is of a U-shaped configuration and comprises an arcuate central portion 22 having diametrically opposed end portions 24 and 26 at the opposite ends thereof. The end portions 24, 26 are adapted for pivotal engagement with a pair of attachment fittings 28, 30, respectively, which are located on the diametrically opposite sides of the container 12, as best seen in FIG. 3. The container 12, and in particular, the cylindrical side wall 14 thereof, defines a generally circular shaped upper marginal edge 32 and an interior chamber 34. As will hereafter be described in detail, the vacuum assembly is adapted to be mounted on the upper marginal edge 32 so as to close the top of the chamber 34 and provide a generally air tight volume therewithin. Upon energization of the vacuum assembly 10, the chamber 34 will have a reduced pressure condition existing therein relative to the ambient pressure exteriorly of the container 12, whereupon foreign material such as dirt, liquids or the like may be transferred via a suitable suction hose (not shown) into the container 12.

The vacuum assembly 10 comprises an assembly housing, generally designated by the numeral 36, which consists of an upper, generally trapezoidal shaped housing section 38 and a lower annular or circular shaped housing section 40. Extending around the outer periphery of the lower housing section 40 is a peripheral lip element 42 which is adapted to be surmounted upon the upper edge 32 of the container 12 and form a generally air tight seal therewith. It will be appreciated, of course, that the lower housing section 40 may be of various other configurations either complimentary to or different from the size and shape of the associated container 12, provided, however, that a suitable air tight seal is provided between the underside of the housing 36 and the associated container. Disposed interiorly of the vacuum assembly housing 12 is a suitable electrically energizable motor (not shown) which is adapted to be communicable with a source of electrical energy by means of a conductor 44 connected to a suitable electrical circuit by means of a manually operated on-off" switch 46 mounted on the side of the upper housing section 38, as illustrated. The underside of the vacuum assembly 10 is provided with a filtering element, representatively designated'by the numeral 48, which is intended to prevent foreign material introduced into the chamber 34 from adversely affecting the normal operation of the vacuum motor therewithin. The assembly is provided with a vacuum conduit 50 which is depicted as being generally L-shaped and comprising an upper generally horizontally disposed inlet section 52 and a lower vertically oriented outlet section 54. Upon mounting the vacuum assembly 10 upon the container 12, the outlet end 54 of the conduit 50 will be disposed interiorly of the air tight chamber 34. Accordingly, at such time that the aforesaid vacuum motor is energized, a suitable reduction in pressure will occur within the container 12, thus creating a pressure differential between the interior and exterior thereof. Means in some form of a suitable vacuum conduit or hose may be connected to the inlet end 52 of the conduit 50 for use in directing the reduced pressure condition within the container 12 toward a position adjacent or in confronting relation with the foreign material, i.e., dirt, liquids or the like, which is to be vacuumed by the assembly 10. Accordingly, due to the reduced pressure condition which exists within the container 12, the foreign material will be ingested into the aforesaid conduit and eventually will be transferred thereby to the inlet end 52 of the conduit 50 and will thereafter be communicated via the outlet end 54 into the interior of the container 12 where same will be accumulated. A suitable float operated stopper may be provided interiorly of the assembly -10 for automatically closing the air flow path to the vacuum motor to prevent water, dirt or other foreign substances from being drawn up into the rotors of the vacuum turbine powered by the motor. It will be noted that the vacuum assembly 10 will find particularly useful application in removing liquids, such as cleaning water and the like'from floors, as well as for picking up dirt and the like therefrom, although it will be appreciated that the assembly 10 will find wide and varied use other than these specific applications.

The upper vacuum housing section 38 is formed with a pair of upwardly and inwardly inclined side wall portions 56 and 58 and with a pair of upwardly and inwardly inclined end wall portions 60 and 62. The wall portions 56-62 terminate at the upper end thereof in a generally flat top section 64 that is defined in part by an imaginary, generally horizontal plane. The central portion of the top section 64 is formed with a generally rectangular shaped recessed area 66 which is adapted to nestingly receive a vertically movable or retractable carrying handle, generally designated by the numeral 68 and which is constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. More particularly, the handle 68 is adapted to be moved vertically between an upper extended position, as seen by the solid line position in FIG. 3, and a lower retracted position (shown in dotted lines in FIG. 3) wherein the handle is recessed below the top section 64. The handle 68 comprises a generally U-shaped member 70 fabricated, for example, of a strip of steel or the like and includes a pair of vertically disposed, spaced parallel end sections 72 and 74 that are integrally connected by a generally horizontally disposed top section 76. The recessed area 66 is formed with a pair of spaced apart slots or openings 78 and 80 at the opposite ends thereof which are arranged in generally vertical registry or alignment with the end sections 72, 74 of the member 70 and through which the lower ends of the end sections 72, 74 extend. Suitable stop means (not shown) are provided on the lowermost portions of the end sections 72, 74 which are disposed below the recessed area 66, which stop means are adapted to engage the underside of the recessed area 66 to limit outward movement of the handle 68. The length of the end sections 72, 74 and the distance which the recessed area 66 is located below the horizontal plane defining the top 64 are such that when the handle 68 is disposed in its lower retracted position, the same is entirely below the plane defining the top 64, for purposes hereinafter to be described.

In accordance with one feature of the present invention, the handle 68 is formed with elongated cut-away slot 82 extending the entire length thereof. The handle 68 is also provided with a pair of handle members. generally designated by the numeral 84, which are adapted to be fixedly secured to the top section 76 adjacent the opposite sides of the cut-away slot 82, whereby to de fine an elongated recessed area adapted to nestingly receive the arcuate central portion 22 of the handle or bail 20. Accordingly, the bail 20 and handle 68 may be simultaneously manually grasped or engaged to permit the entire assemblage consisting of the vacuum assembly l0 and container 12 to be transported as a single composite unit. More particularly, at such time as it is desired to effect transport of the aforesaid assemblage, the bail 20 can be pivoted from its normally stored position, as shown in FIG. 1, to an upwardly disposed position, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Thereafter, the handle 68 may be raised from its lower or retracted position in FIG. 3 to its upper extended position. As the handle 68 moves upwardly beneath the bail 20, the recess defined between the handle members 84 and the cut-away slot 82 receives the central portion 22 of the bail 20, as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. Accordingly, it is possible to manually grasp both of the handles 68 and bail 20 simultaneously and transport the vacuum assembly l0 and container 12 as a single or composite structure. This is extremely important in that the assemblage may be transported through the use of only a single arm or hand of the operator instead of having to use both arms as is necessary when the vacuum assembly l0 and container 12 are separated or disassembled. At such time as the assemblage has been moved to some predetermined destination, the handle 68 may be biased downwardly to its retracted position recessed below the surface of the top 64, and the bail 20 may be again moved to its inoperative position shown, for ex- .ample, in FIG. 1.

Another feature of the present invention resides in the fact that the top 64 is of a flat, horizontal configuration, and that the handle 68 is recessed entirely therebelow when it is in its retracted position. Accordingly, the entire vacuum assembly 10 may be inverted and rested or supported on a suitable flat surface so that access may be provided into the interior thereof, for example, for adjusting, repairing the filter element 48 and/or safety switches or the like located in the interior thereof. Still another feature of the present invention resides in the fact that the vacuum assembly 10 is of an extremely compact construction and is thus lightweight and easy to handle. Additionally, the assembly 10 will find universality of application due to the fact that it may be operatively associated with the various type containers other than the container 12 depicted herein, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiment of the invention disclosed are well calculated to fulfill the objects above stated, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the proper scope or fair meaning of the subjoined claims.

We claim:

1. In combination in a vacuum assembly, an open upper-ended container having a first manually engageable handle thereon,

a vacuum subassembly including a housing having an inlet and an outlet,

an electrically energized vacuum motor within said subassembly, and

a second manually engageable handle on said subassembly,

said subassembly being supportable adjacent the upper end of said container and define with the container a discharge chamber communicable with said outlet,

said first and second handles being movable to a position wherein they are generally aligned with each other when said subassembly is assembled onto said container, whereby said first and second handles may be concomitantly manually grasped in order to transport said assembly.

2. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first handle is pivotally secured to said container, and wherein said second handle is retractably mounted on said vacuum subassembly.

3. The invention as set forth in claim 2 wherein said first handle is of a generally U-shaped configuration having a central portion and opposed end portions pivotally connected to the opposite sides of said container.

4. The invention as set forth in claim 2 wherein said second handle is movable between an upper extended position and a lower retracted position, and wherein said upper extended position is generally coincident with said first handle to permit simultaneous manual engagement of said first and second handles.

5. The invention as set forth in claim 4 wherein said second handle is formed with an elongated recessed area arranged generally parallel to said first handle and adapted to nestingly receive said central portion of said first handle.

6. The invention as set forth in claim 4 wherein said vacuum housing comprises an uppermost portion defined in part by a generally horizontally extending plane, and wherein said upper extended position of said second handle is located above said plane and said lower retracted position of said second handle is disposed below said plane, whereby said vacuum housing may be inverted so that same may be supported upon said uppermost portion thereof without interference with said second handle means.

7. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said container is of a generally cylindrical configuration having an open upper end.

8. The invention as set forth in claim 1 which includes a radially disposed portion on said vacuum subassembly adapted for sealing engagement with the upper end of said container and cooperable therewith in defining a generally air tight chamber therewithin.

9. A composite structure including a generally open upper-ended container and an operating mechanism cooperable with the container to perform an operation,

said structure including means supporting the mechanism adjacent the upper end of the container,

first handle means including a generally U-shaped bail having a central portion and opposite end portions secured to the container, and

second handle means mounted on the operating mechanism, said second handle means being movable between an upper extended position and a lower retracted position, said upper extended position being generally coincident with said first handle means so that said first and second handle means are positionable wherein they are substantially aligned with each other when said mechanism is supported on said container, whereby said first and second handle means may be singlehandedly simultaneously grasped to permit concomitant transport of the container and operating mechanism.

10. The invention as set forth in claim 9 wherein said operating mechanism comprises a vacuum assembly.

11. The invention as set forth in claim 10 wherein said means supporting the mechanism comprises a radially disposed portion of said vacuum assembly adapted for sealing engagement with the upper end of said coritainer and cooperable therewith in defining a generally air tight chamber therewithin.

12. The invention as set forth in claim 9 wherein said second handle means is formed with an elongated recessed area arranged generally parallel to said first handle means and adapted to nestingly receive said central portion of said first handle means.

13. The invention as set forth in claim 12 wherein said mechanism consists of a vacuum assembly and includes a vacuum housing comprising an uppermost portion defined in part by a generally horizontally extending plane, and wherein said upper extended position of said second handle means is located above said plane and said lower retracted position of said second handle means is disposed below said plane, whereby said vacuum housing may be inverted so that same may be supported upon said uppermost portion thereof without interference with said second handle means.

14. The invention as set forth in claim 9 wherein said container is of a generally cylindrical configuration having an open upper end.

15. A vacuum assembly adapted for operative association with a generally open upper-ended container having a first manually engageable handle thereon,

said assembly including a housing and means for supporting said housing adjacent the upper end of the container,

said housing having an upper portion defined in part by an imaginary horizontal plane,

a second manual engageable handle onsaid assemsaid second handle being movable between a retracted position located below said plane and an extended position located above said plane, whereby said second handle may be moved from said retracted position to said extended position to enable manual engagement therewith for transporting said assembly, and wherein said assembly may be inverted and be supported on said upper portion of said housing without interference with said handle means,

said second handle being positionable when said vacuum assembly is mounted on said container such therewith in defining a generally air tight chamber therewithin.

18. The invention as set forth in claim 15 wherein said second handle is movable upwardly and downwardly along a path arranged at generally right angles to said plane.

19. The invention as set forth in claim 15 wherein said first handle is pivotally secured to said container. 1: 

1. In combination in a vacuum assembly, an open upper-ended container having a first manually engageable handle thereon, a vacuum subassembly including a housing having an inlet and an outlet, an electrically energized vacuum motor within said subassembly, and a second manually engageable handle on said subassembly, said subassembly being supportable adjacent the upper end of said Container and define with the container a discharge chamber communicable with said outlet, said first and second handles being movable to a position wherein they are generally aligned with each other when said subassembly is assembled onto said container, whereby said first and second handles may be concomitantly manually grasped in order to transport said assembly.
 2. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first handle is pivotally secured to said container, and wherein said second handle is retractably mounted on said vacuum subassembly.
 3. The invention as set forth in claim 2 wherein said first handle is of a generally U-shaped configuration having a central portion and opposed end portions pivotally connected to the opposite sides of said container.
 4. The invention as set forth in claim 2 wherein said second handle is movable between an upper extended position and a lower retracted position, and wherein said upper extended position is generally coincident with said first handle to permit simultaneous manual engagement of said first and second handles.
 5. The invention as set forth in claim 4 wherein said second handle is formed with an elongated recessed area arranged generally parallel to said first handle and adapted to nestingly receive said central portion of said first handle.
 6. The invention as set forth in claim 4 wherein said vacuum housing comprises an uppermost portion defined in part by a generally horizontally extending plane, and wherein said upper extended position of said second handle is located above said plane and said lower retracted position of said second handle is disposed below said plane, whereby said vacuum housing may be inverted so that same may be supported upon said uppermost portion thereof without interference with said second handle means.
 7. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said container is of a generally cylindrical configuration having an open upper end.
 8. The invention as set forth in claim 1 which includes a radially disposed portion on said vacuum subassembly adapted for sealing engagement with the upper end of said container and cooperable therewith in defining a generally air tight chamber therewithin.
 9. A composite structure including a generally open upper-ended container and an operating mechanism cooperable with the container to perform an operation, said structure including means supporting the mechanism adjacent the upper end of the container, first handle means including a generally U-shaped bail having a central portion and opposite end portions secured to the container, and second handle means mounted on the operating mechanism, said second handle means being movable between an upper extended position and a lower retracted position, said upper extended position being generally coincident with said first handle means so that said first and second handle means are positionable wherein they are substantially aligned with each other when said mechanism is supported on said container, whereby said first and second handle means may be singlehandedly simultaneously grasped to permit concomitant transport of the container and operating mechanism.
 10. The invention as set forth in claim 9 wherein said operating mechanism comprises a vacuum assembly.
 11. The invention as set forth in claim 10 wherein said means supporting the mechanism comprises a radially disposed portion of said vacuum assembly adapted for sealing engagement with the upper end of said container and cooperable therewith in defining a generally air tight chamber therewithin.
 12. The invention as set forth in claim 9 wherein said second handle means is formed with an elongated recessed area arranged generally parallel to said first handle means and adapted to nestingly receive said central portion of said first handle means.
 13. The invention as set forth in claim 12 wherein said mechanism consists of a vacuum assembly and includes a vacuum housing comprising an uppermOst portion defined in part by a generally horizontally extending plane, and wherein said upper extended position of said second handle means is located above said plane and said lower retracted position of said second handle means is disposed below said plane, whereby said vacuum housing may be inverted so that same may be supported upon said uppermost portion thereof without interference with said second handle means.
 14. The invention as set forth in claim 9 wherein said container is of a generally cylindrical configuration having an open upper end.
 15. A vacuum assembly adapted for operative association with a generally open upper-ended container having a first manually engageable handle thereon, said assembly including a housing and means for supporting said housing adjacent the upper end of the container, said housing having an upper portion defined in part by an imaginary horizontal plane, a second manual engageable handle on said assembly, said second handle being movable between a retracted position located below said plane and an extended position located above said plane, whereby said second handle may be moved from said retracted position to said extended position to enable manual engagement therewith for transporting said assembly, and wherein said assembly may be inverted and be supported on said upper portion of said housing without interference with said handle means, said second handle being positionable when said vacuum assembly is mounted on said container such that both said first and second handles can be singlehandedly simultaneously grasped in order to transport said assembly and said container.
 16. The invention as set forth in claim 15 wherein said container is of a generally cylindrical configuration having an open upper end.
 17. The invention as set forth in claim 16 wherein said means supporting said assembly comprises a radially disposed portion adapted for sealing engagement with the upper end of said container and cooperable therewith in defining a generally air tight chamber therewithin.
 18. The invention as set forth in claim 15 wherein said second handle is movable upwardly and downwardly along a path arranged at generally right angles to said plane.
 19. The invention as set forth in claim 15 wherein said first handle is pivotally secured to said container. 